Tukaram Mundhe Intensifies Crackdown: 904 Raids Across Maharashtra in a Month, Rs 34.66 Crore Seized

Maharashtra’s FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe has carried out 904 raids statewide in a month, seizing banned gutkha, adulterated food, and fake drugs worth over Rs 34 crore.

June 29, 2026 | Mumbai

Maharashtra’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe has stepped up his campaign against adulteration and illegal trade since taking charge of the department, with the crackdown growing more intense by the day. Over the past month, the FDA has conducted 904 raids across all divisions of the state, including Konkan, Mumbai, Pune, Nashik, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Amravati, and Nagpur.

The extensive operation targeted banned gutkha, pan masala, flavoured tobacco, adulterated food items, and unauthorised sale of fake or restricted medicines. Officials seized contraband worth Rs 34 crore 66 lakh 90 thousand during the drive. Cases have been registered against the establishments involved under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Food Safety and Standards Act, while several suspects have already been arrested.

In a significant move, authorities have also directed that organised gutkha trafficking networks be booked under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA), signalling a tougher legal approach against repeat and large-scale offenders.

Commissioner Mundhe reiterated that access to safe and unadulterated food is a basic right of citizens, warning that stricter action will continue against those involved in adulteration or the illegal sale of banned substances. The FDA has also appealed to the public to report any doubts regarding food quality directly to the department.

Since assuming charge, Mundhe has gained attention for his aggressive enforcement style, with near-daily raids being reported from different parts of the state. The latest figures mark one of the most extensive single-month crackdowns carried out by the department in recent years, reinforcing the government’s stated commitment to consumer safety and public health.

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